ABA Therapy for High Desert Families
Serving Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Barstow, and surrounding High Desert communities
in-home, in-community, and via telehealth.
Finding quality ABA therapy in the High Desert shouldn't mean driving down the hill or waiting months for a local provider. Spectrum Optimal Care is a BCBA-owned practice based right here in the High Desert, built specifically for families who want compassionate, effective support close to home.
We provide Parent-Led Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences — on your terms, in your community.
WHO WE SERVE
We work with children and adults ages 2 and up who have autism or other neurodevelopmental differences. Families come to us through:
-
Insurance — we work with multiple California insurers (a diagnosis is required for insurance-funded services)
-
Regional Center — In the vendorization process but accepting SDP clients
-
Private pay — no diagnosis required; sliding fee scale available
If you're not sure whether your child has a diagnosis yet, private pay is an option to get started now. We'll help you figure out the right path.
What we Offer
Parent-Led ABA
Intensive, BCBA-led coaching that puts you at the center. You learn the strategies, implement them with your child, and we support you every step of the way. No referral needed, no diagnosis required for private pay.
Social Skills Training
Training is provided to aid in increasing social skills. This training helps build and maintain friendships, increase communication abilities, and build confidence.
ABA Consultations
Hourly sessions for families who need guidance on behavior planning, IEP review, or advocacy — without committing to a full therapy program.
IEP Support & FBAs
We attend IEPs with you, review recommendations, and conduct Functional Behavior Assessments for schools and families across the High Desert.
Parent Led ABA
Individualized parent-led ABA coaching for children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, delivered in your home or via telehealth — so distance never stands between your child and the support they deserve.
Who is is it for?
Parent-led ABA therapy are best for:
-
Families that need or desire flexibility
-
Best for early learners (2-5) but can still benefit school aged through teenage years
-
Children with mild to moderate behavior challenges (tantrums, noncompliance, rigidity, etc)
-
Children needing support with daily living and social skills
-
Children who struggle with generalizing skills across settings
What do we work on?
Every family is unique—and our support will be tailored around your needs. Common areas we work on are:
-
Developing social skills
-
Devloping language
-
Furthering communication skills
-
Managing and modifying behaviors
-
Increasing independence
What you can expect
From start to finish, the process will look somewhat like this:
-
Initial assessment to determine current needs and family concerns
-
Identification of goals and behavior supports
-
1:1 Parent support in learning how to manage behaviors, teach skills, and run and track goals
-
Modification as child's needs and abilities develop
Social Skills Training
Who is is it for?
Social Skills Training is good for children to adults! This training works best for those who:
-
Have few or no friendships and need support building connections
-
Want to interact with peers but don’t know how to initiate or join in
-
Struggle to maintain conversations or stay on topic
-
Have difficulty understanding social cues like body language, tone of voice, or personal space
-
Experience frequent misunderstandings, conflict, or frustration during social interactions
-
Prefer to play alone but may benefit from guided peer engagement
-
Have strong language skills but struggle with the “unwritten rules” of social interaction
-
Become overwhelmed or anxious in group settings
-
Need support with turn-taking, sharing, or cooperative play
-
Want to build friendships, dating skills, or social confidence
What do we work on?
Our social skills training may include:
-
Structured teaching of social communication skills
-
Modeling and role-playing real-life scenarios
-
Guided practice with immediate feedback
-
Use of visual supports and social narratives
-
Reinforcement strategies to build confidence and motivation
-
Small group sessions (when appropriate) to practice peer interaction
Skills We Target
Our programs are customized, but may focus on skills such as:
-
Initiating and responding to conversations
-
Understanding body language and tone of voice
-
Sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative play
-
Managing frustration and navigating conflicts
-
Building friendships and maintaining relationships
-
Participating in group activities -
-
Community-based social interactions (e.g., ordering food, asking for help)
IEP Advocacy & Support
Who is is it for?
IEP's are confusing and can be intimidating when it's a group of teachers and professionals and only 1 Parent/set of parents. Our advocacy services are collaborative and family-centered. This service is for parents who:
-
Are experiencing continued calls home or their children facing disciplinary action due to behaviors
-
Feel they are not being heard during IEP meetings
-
Are confused about the way behaviors are being addressed in school
What do we work on?
We help you prepare for, participate in, and follow up after IEP meetings with clarity and confidence. Support may include:
-
Reviewing current IEPs, assessments, and school reports
-
Identifying gaps in services, goals, or accommodations
-
Translating educational and clinical language into clear, understandable terms
-
Helping you prepare questions, concerns, and priorities before meetings
-
Attending IEP meetings with you (virtually or in person, when available)
-
Supporting communication with school teams in a professional and effective way
-
Recommending evidence-based goals and supports aligned with your child’s needs
-
Ensuring your voice as a parent is heard and respected
You know your child better than anyone
Our job is to equip you with the tools to put that knowledge to work every day, not just during scheduled sessions.
How is ABA Therapy Paid For?
Funding should never be a barrier to getting started. We work with many insurances and are currently accepting Self-Determination Program (SDP) clients through the Regional Center of the Desert (RCOD) and Inland Regional Center (IRC), with full Regional Center vendorization in process. Private pay families are also welcome, with a sliding fee scale based on current DDS low-income rates, updated every quarter. And here is something worth knowing if you are still in the process of getting a diagnosis: no diagnosis is required for private pay services. You do not have to wait.
High Desert families deserve the same quality of care available in bigger cities. That is exactly why we are here.
